Electronic waste or e-waste refers to items such as computers, televisions, computers, monitors, cell phones, cameras, MP3 players, and electronic lab equipment. Most electronic equipment contains toxic heavy metals (such as mercury, lead, cadmium and nickel); if these items are placed in a regular landfill, those metals could leach out and contaminate our ground water. Environmental protection laws forbid this equipment from being disposed of as ordinary trash.
Both VU and VUMC recycle electronic waste.
- VUMC recycling: Contact VUMC Storage and Services at 615-936-4626.
- VU recycling: Instructions on how to recycle computers and other electronic waste are provided on the university's web site.
Disposal of Lab Equipment : If you need to dispose of electrical equipment that has been used in a laboratory where hazardous chemical, biological or radioactive materials have been used, refer to Preparing Biological Lab Equipment for Disposal and Guidelines for Moving Radioactive Equipment.
Additional electronic recycling resources are available on the Environmental Protection Links web page.